Fly and Ride 17 FJR

[Fontanaman]

Last Christmas I bought a 17 FJR in Austin Texas. I left it with a friend in New Braunfels. So this is my ride it home trip report and I will post here as time permits.

On March 3rd I flew from Spokane Washington to San Antonio Texas. I was one of the last to see my bag appear in baggage claim - I have a lot nice gear in that bag and surely didn't want to start off on a sour note.

March 4th I started working on the 17 FJR. I have to get it sorted out before Eddie and I go for a ride. First thing I did to day was check the engine air filter - it looked good.

And looks good on the inside too.

Next thing I did was remove cruiser pegs from the Canyon Cages. I gave the pegs to my friend Eddie and he will find a new owner. I would not dream of selling them to anybody on this forum - that would be evil.

The third thing I did to my FJR today was check the saddle bag latch screws. This is what I found.

I found both sides missing one screw and each remaining screw was not very tight. Off to the store to get two screws which we found a Yamaha store and the price was free! Eddie knows the parts guy.

Install four screws with locktite. Problem solved. Thank goodness for this forum for pointing out these screws need locktite.

The last thing I did to the FJR today was install a Tankslapper vinyl film kit. That took most of the afternoon.

Tomorrow we go out for a shakedown ride.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Enjoy the new scoot Fontanaman!

~G

 

[Cyclepath]

Lucky bastage!

Enjoy the ride, and your new machine.

 

[dcarver]

Seriously.. I want the highway pegs and mounting..... Let me know.. Not kidding! Would not mount them that low though... Jeesh!

 

[Niehart]

You can have mine for the cost of shipping Don.

Jim, keep those reports coming.

db

 

[escapefjrtist]

Fontanaman reports his new ‘17 also has lowered pegs. The way he likes to throw his FJRs into corners I’ll predict those don’t last too long before removal! 

~G

 

[Fontanaman]

March 5th daily ditty.

Today I installed the gas tank ring for my Bags Connection tank bag.

Next was to install my hydration system. The foot peg screws had to be removed with a impact driver.

To use my heated jacket I had to remove the SAE battery tender cable and replace it with a coax cable I brought with me. I have an coax to SAE adapter to use the battery tender. Mickey Mouse appeared after removing the battery panel and terminals.

I decided to address Mickey Mouse later as I was short on time. Adding an additional battery connector prevents the battery screw from engaging.

The negative battery terminal nut was cockeyed and the screw would not engage, so without terminals installed, I loosely engaged the screw then put some bubble wrap under the nut.

After placing the terminals the screw started then I removed the bubble wrap.

As with most things it is harder to put things back together than take them apart. So it was with the battery panel. Some of this was due to the large Garmin cradle wire loom located outboard of the battery putting lateral pressure on the fairing. With some trail and error I finally got it all back together.

After adding air to the tires we were off for a ride.

Here are some images.

Some first impressions of the 17. It is smooth. This six speed trany is a nice upgrade and I really enjoy the less clutch lever effort. The cruise control is top notch - I have never had one before. The Puig screen was in the highest position all day and for me, 5' 11 3/4" 31 inch inseam, with a Russell saddle, wind noise was an issue, not terrible but noticeable. I am coming off an 09 with a Cee Bailey tall screen with a reverse flip and I prefer sitting in a bubble of calm air. Upon returning to Eddie's I installed a tall Vstream - more on that after I try it out - thanks Ray! The Puig sure looked good though.

--G is right.  The foot peg lowering kit will be removed tomorrow morning. The prior owner didn't reposition the gear shift or brake pedal and lifting my foot to access the controls is unwelcome.  I will hold on to them for now but they hit the ground twice today.  I never had them on my 09 with over 100,000 miles and don't think I will need them.

We are doing parts of the Tour of Texas and today hit three points.

LBJ History park near Johnson City.

Texas Ranger Heritage Center and Tower.

Luckenbach Post Office in Luckenbach Texas.

We road about 200 miles today. Eddie knows every back road here. Like this one. The pavement is to the left.

We had a good day to day and I am looking forward to more.

To be continued.

 

[Fontanaman]

You can have mine for the cost of shipping Don.

Jim, keep those reports coming.

db

Hey Don get the set from Dave.  Likely in better shape.

 

[escapefjrtist]

That last pic looks more like creek bank rather than pavement!

~G

 

[Cyclepath]

Sheesh, better bring your waterwings when it rains in that last pic's spot!

 

[Bugnatr]

Very nice Jim.  

I have always used a little wood shim to squeeze the nut up to the battery bolt. Looks like bubble wrap has another purpose in life.

 

[Fontanaman]

Here is the daily ditty for March 6, 2020.

Today I removed the foot peg lowering parts. They lower the foot pegs by 1 3/4 inches. I think they are the devil's seed. You may have a different opinion so they are for sale. Price negotiable. I have been kind of busy today - things have not gone to plan. You won't get them till I get home because they are in a box with other stuff I sent home today.

Here is a photo of the pegs in their proper places where my feet can use the controls quickly. I road the bike a short distance after removing the foot pegs and immediately felt right at home. Nice!

Next I bled the front and rear brakes. The rear was very mushy and had a long throw. Not now!

I mounted the Vstream tall windscreen and went for a short ride. I only needed to move it a short distance up to find the optimal height. Long story short I sold the Puig to inmate NTXFJR.

Plans have changed. My friend Eddie and I planned on going to Big Bend National Park, but now Eddie can't go. Tomorrow I am off to visit in-laws in Llano Texas for a couple of day before continuing east.

To be continued.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Progress Fontanaman! Glad bleeding the rear brakes got the pedal back. 

~G

 

[Fontanaman]

Daily ditty for March 7, 2020.

I am going to rename this trip to it didn't work out as planned. The plan today was to visit my in-laws in Llano Texas. One of the four kids was sick but I could stay with my step daughter's step father. That was the plan created yesterday. This morning Jerrod, my step daughter's husband calls, to say my step daughter, Lindsey is sick, as is Ben one of the twins with the flu. Anyway I decide to stay with Jerrod's parents and visit them and Brody the oldest child. Not long after arriving in Llano, Brody is getting sick too.

Anyway it was a good riding day today. Eddie and I rode to Llano today, then he went back home. I rode about 5 hours including a short lunch stop in Comfort Texas. Good roads and good weather.

Guadalupe River Road. Nice!

Treue der Union Monument a stop on the Grand Tour of Texas. a way point of the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas.

Another stop for the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas in Comfort Texas.

We stopped at High's Cafe in Comfort Texas for lunch.

Food porn.

Artwork at the restaurant.

Back on the road again.

A back road. Eddie knows all of them. I just had to follow along.

Willow Springs road.

Baby Head Cemetery a way point on the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas.

To be continued.

 

[RossKean]

Hopefully you will manage to avoid the flu! Not nice on a motorcycle trip - happened to me once.  

 

[Boston]

It's like reading a good book. I need more !  :lmaosmiley:

 

[russperry]

Great to hear about a new ride for you Jim!   Some of those back roads look interesting shall we say

Will you still be out and about by the first weekend of April?  I'm going to be in an RV and in Austin for the MotoGP round (assuming it's held of course).  If so give me a shout - it would be great to see a friendly face on the road....

 

[Fontanaman]

Great to hear about a new ride for you Jim!   Some of those back roads look interesting shall we say

Will you still be out and about by the first weekend of April?  I'm going to be in an RV and in Austin for the MotoGP round (assuming it's held of course).  If so give me a shout - it would be great to see a friendly face on the road....

I don't think I will be in the Austin area in April but I really don't know yet.

 

[Fontanaman]

Daily Ditty March 9, 2020.

On March 8 2020 I spent time with my in-laws in Llano Texas. My grand daughter Magi, age 6, was helping the twins, age 3, ride a small bicycle with training wheels. She lifted them on the seat then pushed or pulled the cycle. It was a pleasure to see them playing together so well.

I also went for a 3 mile walk and bought my Mom a Birthday card.

March 9, 2020 went for a ride today and here is my Spotwalla Track. The straight line exists because I had to update my Android setting to allow the phone app Bubbler to have persistent location access.

The Grand Tour of Texas includes Hill Country Motorheads Motorcycle Museum in Burnett so I stopped for a photo. It was closed today but if you every have the change do go. It is a fun place with all sorts of old iron.

Soon after this it started to rain with temps in the upper 60 and low 70's. Yuck. My rain gear worked well.

The next stop was lunch at Classic Rock Coffee Co. & Kitchen in Navasota. It too is a Grand Tour of Texas way point.

Eddie and I had lunch here and he brought a Throttle Rocker with him. Thanks Eddie! It was a pleasure staying with you and thanks for all your help.

Tonight I am staying near the Johnson Space Center and will go on a tour tomorrow.

When out for Sushi tonight. Very good.

The tall Vstream windshield works very well for me. Yes! Love the cruise control. It allows different hand positions negating the need for having the bars closer to me like my 09 with the Heli Riser clamp. Distance today was 330 miles and I feel good and the cruise control helped out a lot. It is like a safety feature keep the rider refresher longer. Still getting used to the electronic information display. I wish I could move have my own screen and select the info I want.

The 17 FJR came with a Yamaha top case. I have a Givi 45 on my 09. I like the looks of the Yamaha case and it functions well. I like the closing mechanism much better than the Givi. The Yamaha case is certainly smaller. Anybody got opinions on the Yamaha top case?

To be continued.